Hear 2.0 is featuring a look at the FM radio included in Microsoft's new Zune player.

No this isn't the first MP3 player to include FM radio, but it is by far the highest profile one. The iPod's FM tuner add-on doesn't count in my book. The whole concept of integrating a radio into a digital audio player is to allow for effortless listening to music, and discovery of music (essential for the continued success of MP3 players). It also provides the sense of "choice" to the consumer.

Satellite radio provides the same thing. Only better. It's just a matter of time before Microsoft and/or Apple come to this realization.

[Hear 2.0]

The Zune, which comes in three colors (black, brown and white) will pack a 30Gb hard drive, a built-in FM tuner, 3.0-inch screen, and 802.11 WiFi.

Rather than rehash everything, you might as well check out Gizmodo and Engadget because those guys have more than enough photos and info to keep you entertained for a while.

Unfortunately, because of the FM-support, Zune will now be filed away into "The Competition" category until something changes. Accessories are also available that solidify this position, just as the Zune Car Pack, which is a FM-tuner with AutoSeek and a Zune Car Charger.

Check out a couple big ol' close-up shots of the Zune for you lazy clickers after the jump...

A spin-filled article on Radio World Online by Guy Wire (ugh) entitled Satellite in Trouble as HD Grows left me scratching my head by the end of the piece. It starts out by painting Sirius and XM as a fool's investment, stating that both are seeing "subscriber growth rates slow and begin to level off." Level off? I don't know about that.

He then goes on to build a doomsday scenario of how both companies are hemoraging money, facing regulatory troubles, and lumps satellite radio in with "any other high-tech venture that over-promises and under-delivers." Yet, all his points stem from events spanning the past 9 months. Nine months there "Guy."

At this point I'm waiting for the HD Radio speech. So far it's just been a satellite bash-fest... where's the meat? He instead goes on to talk about how terrestrial radio is the most logical savior of satellite should the auto manufacturers decide to cut their losses. In fact, terrestrial having controlling ownership would be the best thing for satellite! So the article now has turned from a satellite bash-fest, to a terrestrial love-in. Riveting.

But where's the point about HD? Oh wait, here it is at the end. Instead of filing HD Radio away with FM Quad and AM Stereo, which many are doing, he instead compares HD Radio to FM. FM started in 1961 yet needed 10 years to take hold, and another 10 years before becoming the "dominant choice for consumers," which he pridicts will be "the same pattern is likely to be charted by HD Radio."

So... in 20 years HD Radio will become popular? Hallelujah! Yet, the occurances of the past 9 months spell complete failure for satellite radio? Amazing insight! Do yourself a favor, keep your smoke blowing propaganda to internal emails there "Guy" - your rant just fell apart.

[Radio World Online]

A new Omnitel/American Media Services (AMS) study finds that 27% of Americans are listening to the radio less than they did five years ago. Meanwhile 51% of those surveyed say their listening hasn't changed in the past five years while 21% say they listen more.

A majority of respondents (74%) expect to be listening to about the same amount of radio in another five years, while 11% said they they'll be listening less and 13% expect to listen more.

What about discovery of new music? 63% said they find new music from the radio, with 43% saying they hear about it from friends, 41% from TV, 24% from print, and 16% from the Internet.

So if 63% say they turn to radio to discover new music, yet terrestrial has lost its appeal in over 1/4 of those surveyed... what exactly does that tell you?

"New" music isn't necessarily "just released" music. "New to me" music is just as interesting.

[via FMQB] 

Clear Channel Radio's Total Traffic Network has inked a multi-year deal with BMW to provide traffic data to navigation systems offered in select 2007 BMW models, including the X5, M5, M6 and the 3, 5 and 6 Series models.

BMW's nav system, equipped with Clear Channel's traffic service, will become available as early as mid-September, and Total Traffic Network's data will be included with no monthly fees. This makes BMW of North America the first US auto manufacturer to offer real-time traffic as a standard service on navigation-equipped vehicles.

In my opinion deals like this pose a signficant threat to the satellite radio industry. Extended satellite services like XM NavTraffic and SIRIUS Traffic (and others like the upcoming XM ParkingLink) are flagship products that introduce consumers - especially luxury-oriented ones - to the core satellite radio offering. As nav systems become more ubiquitous in vehicles, consumers will be attracted to services that extend the capabilities of these systems. When presented with the choice between free and a pay service, it doesn't take a genius to figure out which one they'll go for.

This also marks the second time that BMW has opted to include a terrestrial radio backed technology - being the first automaker to include HD Radio as an option (albeit, an expensive one). And don't forget that they spearheaded the iPod integration option as well.

The question remains as to whether the service is even worthwhile, considering that Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network uses its own network of reporters, traffic cameras, helicopters and airplanes to provide traffic updates (as opposed to XM and SIRIUS who both use NAVTEQ). But with more than 125 metropolitan markets covered - versus XM's 44 markets and SIRIUS' 30 markets - the numbers comparison by itself isn't very positive.

UPDATE: Apparently the Total Traffic Network covers 125 markets in three countries (US-of-A, Mexico and... New Zealand). As for the number of US markets specifically it's the same as XM: 44.

[via FMQB]